Which place is cheaper, New Orleans or Quito?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Quito or New Orleans?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Quito or New Orleans? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Quito or New Orleans?
Quito
Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.
Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Quito Prices
Ecuador PricesNew Orleans Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $66New Orleans $270
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $270. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Quito and New Orleans in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22New Orleans $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44New Orleans $248
Compare Hotels in Quito and New Orleans
Looking for a hotel in Quito or New Orleans? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Quito Hotel Prices and New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99New Orleans $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
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Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $43
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
- Transfers Friends Airport Quito: $40
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $25
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
- Transfer Private Airport–Hotel in Quito: $49
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Transfer In & Out from Quito: $130
- Transfer Airport Quito-Hotel or vice versa with bilingual driver-guide: $43
- Transfer Airport → Quito (one way / round trip): $50
- Shared Transfer from Quito hotels to Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from/to Airport: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 11 Passenger Executive Van: New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $197
- Airport Transfer in New Orleans: $175
- Airport and City Transfers in New Orleans: $135
- Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $260
- Luxury Airport Transfer Service in the Northshore: $250
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer Service in New Orleans: $50
- Luxury SUV Transfer from Hotel or Cruise port to MSY Aiport: $95
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $201
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Transfer: $62
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Round-Trip Transfer: $124
- New Orleans Airport One way Transfer to Baton Rouge or Slidell: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or New Orleans?
Prices for flights to both New Orleans and Quito change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayQuito $34New Orleans $77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tasting and Cooking Class in Quito: $15
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $75
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bananas Foster Cooking Demonstration in the French Quarter: $18
- New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $58
- Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans: $60
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $60
- New Orleans Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $71
- French Quarter Walking Food Tour: Signature Tastes of New Orleans: $80
- French Quarter Food Tour: 5 Classic Bites and NOLA Stories: $81
- Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89
- NOLA Carte Food Tour: 300 Years of Flavor in the French Quarter: $96
- New Orleans Original Seafood Tour of the French Quarter: $100
- New Orleans Cooking Class and Cocktail Walking Tour: $106
- New Orleans Small-Group Food Walking Tour and Cooking Class: $117
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16New Orleans $55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two$8.00
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Quito to Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Tour with Accommodation: $281
- 2 day 1 night tour to Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon all included: $280
- 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel: $222
- 3-Day Adventure: Quito, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños, Jungle: $897
- 3-Day Antisana & Amazon comunities, Caves, Baños Guided Tour: $734
- 6-Day Ecuador Heritage Tour: Art, Culture and Otavalo: $1,847
- Amazon Adventure: 4 Days of Nature & Culture from Quito: $1,770
- Andean Adventure : Riding and Cotopaxi Refuge: $140
- Antisana Birding Tours to see CONDORS - by Richard Hernandez: $185
- Antisana Condor Tour from Quito: $220
- Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $210
- Antisana Volcano Condor Birdwatching Private Experience: $90
Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover A Self-Guided Tour: $4.56
- French Quarter Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Podcast Tour New Orleans The Garden District: $5.48
- New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.72
- New Orleans French Quarter: Stolen Art Puzzle Adventure: $6.17
- Ghost Hunt in Quest Experience: $6.17
- Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- New Orleans Walking Ghost Tour Supreme Court to Jackson Square: $7.99
- New Orleans Garden District Self Guided Walking Tour GPS APP: $7.99
- New Orleans Slavery Voodoo and Resistance Self Guided Tour: $7.99
- Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $8.99
- Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17New Orleans $60
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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Beers for Two$9.00
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Pub Crawl: French Quarter Haunted History Cocktail Tour: $14
- Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot: $21
- Pub Crawl: The Drunken Telling of New Orleans Tales: $22
- New Orleans Old Alker Distillery Tour and Expert Guided Tasting: $25
- New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $25
- Crawl Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $27
- Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
- New Orleans Original True Crime Pub Crawl: $30
- Pub Crawl: New Orleans Cocktail and Ghost Tour: $30
- New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Pub Crawl: New Orleans' Finest Haunted Pub Tour: $38
- Pub Crawl: Haunted New Orleans Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quito is in South America and New Orleans is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Quito.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quito Expensive? and Is New Orleans Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quito or New Orleans?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Quito and New Orleans, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.